News

Alpha VP crashes
a day after
buying vehicle

A sneaker, two market bags and a mangled 2014 Grand Vitara told of the impact of the collision which yesterday left retired vice-principal of the Alpha Convent of Mercy, Sydney Reid, in critical condition after the vehicle he was driving crashed into the back of a parked truck on the Harbour View main road, east of Kingston.

Reid was rushed to the Kingston Public Hospital by the police shortly after midday, after he had to be cut out of the vehicle by firefighters. Police from the Harbour View Police Station described his condition as "very, very bad".

People at the scene were left scratching their heads as they tried to figure out how the accident could have occurred since Reid was known to be a careful driver.

"I figure is fall him fall asleep. Is a man I know will fall asleep easily," one resident said.

"I wonder if his sugar level fell low on him and he felt drowsy," another said.

Reid, who left Alpha last August after 37 years of service, is still working at the school on contract.

The spanking-new 2014 vehicle, with seats still wrapped in plastic, was bought by Reid a day before the accident.

"He is a good person, not the type who would drive and gaze," said Donike Allwood, who identified himself as Reid's cousin. "I can't even tell how this happen because him don't drive and text, him not drinking and driving; he is just a focused person."

Another cousin, Karen Phillips, agreed.

"Is yesterday he got this vehicle. I told him this is a fast vehicle but him say him like it," Phillips said. "But is not the type of person who will text and drive, he is a very responsible type of person," she added.

Velia Espeut, Reid's co-worker was emotional as she described the man she worked with for years and said she was the one who accompanied him to pick up the vehicle on Friday.

"He is a very good man, very thoughtful man and safe. We picked up this car yesterday (Friday) - he and I drove it last night and went to a function we had at Alpha Convent of Mercy this morning. His life is for the children of Alpha," Espeut said.

Reid was heading home to Bay View, Bull Bay when the accident occurred.

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